I was looking at that article on boston.com regarding outdoor dining the other day. In the picture for Via Matta Mario Batali is sitting on the patio. I don't know if it was intentionally submitted by them or if he just happened to be there on the day they took the picture.

Thortons Fenway- not exactly anything to write home about but they make decent cocktails and have a pretty good beer selection (although all in bottles)--- But the patio area always seems to be in the sun, its really low key, the wait staff is friendly and its simply a great place to hang around and enjoy a few drinks-- and you never feel rushed!

Do these places (Shay's, Thornton's, Jury's, or whatever else arises here) allow you to drink without ordering food? I ask because it seems to me that there is a lack of outdoor space for either eating or drinking round these parts, and to make the most of what they have, many places (I'm thinking of you Red Fez, and you Daedalus) require you to order food too. And sometimes, I just want to consume a nice alcoholic beverage sans food.

You don't have to have food at Shay's. And if you go to Daedalus after 10 you can sit on the deck without ordering food. In Harvard sq there are actually a lot of options now (due to a change in licensing last year). You can also have drinks outside at Grendel's patio, Charlie's kitchen (not a lot of seating), OM and Upstairs on the Sq (not so cheap, mind), and (most delightfully, imo) upstairs on Algiers deck.

Shay's is great, but the patio is small and it can be hard to get one of the few tables outside. Because it is low-key and you can just drink, people tend to linger. If it's a sunny weekend afternoon, 9 times out 10 you're pretty much SOL, unless you feel like waiting around for a group to get up and leave.

It's only recently that outdoor cafes have been allowed to serve drinks outdoors. Places like Shay's and Henrietta's were considered private spaces and you could always get drinks there. Shay's is below the sidewalk level, and somehow that execpted it. I like the Grafton St, Pub. Good drinks and reasonable food and a great spot to people watch. I like the Firefly in the Back Bay. Nothing fancy and the drinks are made with liquours, but it's reasonable and pleasant. You can just drink at Tia's, in the back part. If you can grab a table outside at Durgin Park and love looking tourists, I think you can only order drinks. I also like the Globe in Copley Sq. but sometimes you have to order food. If they're not busy, I'm sure they will appreciate any business.